Sports shoe, in particular alpine ski shoe

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a sports shoe, in particular an alpine ski shoe, comprising an upper part and a sole formation. A stiffening element for influencing the stiffness of the sole formation extends between a toe side and a heel side of the sole formation. A detachable fixing element is assigned to the stiffening element and is exclusively disposed at the heel side of the sole formation, so that said fixing element can be operated from the entry for the user&#39;s foot into the sports shoe and in the detached state permits removal of the stiffening element from the interior of the upper part of shoe via the entry for the user&#39;s foot.

The invention relates to a sports shoe, in particular an alpine ski shoe, as it is described in claim 1.

Sports shoes, in particular alpine ski shoes having technical features for a modification of the sole stiffness or the flexibility of the shoe configuration according to needs are known from prior art in a plurality of different designs.

The specification U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,374 A e.g. discloses a sport boot, in particular a ski boot, the stiffness of which can be modified according to one's requirements by means of a mechanism for adjusting. The design of the sole is formed from an elongate plate-like sole element designed tub-shaped and accommodates the plate- or support-like stiffening element in the corresponding mounting tub. Said stiffening element is here inserted into the tub-shaped sole element having a lateral clearance and also a clearance with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sole, with the result that a predetermined clearance to the wall or interior faces of the tub-shaped sole element is provided. The longitudinal end of the stiffening element on the front or on the toe side is coupled with the tub-shaped sole element via a positive locking plug connection, and this positive locking plug connection forms a front, shear-resistant support for the stiffening element. In the end region of the stiffening element on the heel side, an adjusting means for modifying the stiffness of the sole is disposed. For stiffening the sole formation, the adjusting element is to be operated in such a way that it applies a vertically aligned compressive or clamping force between the stiffening element and the upper side of the tub-shaped sole element. This means, that the stiffening element and the tub-shaped sole element can be braced or clamped to one another by means of the adjusting means if required, with the result that increased mechanical friction is produced at the mutual bearing surfaces between the stiffening element and the tub-shaped sole element. This friction, exclusively produced by vertical compression or clamping force between the stiffening element and the tub-shaped sole element is to prevent or hamper relative displacements between the said elements and to stiffen the formation of the sports shoe as a result. In a loosened state of the adjusting element, no important clamping force between the bottom side of the stiffening element and the upper side of the tub-shaped sole element is present, with the result that the said elements can displace with respect to one another within the limits of the clearance formed in longitudinal direction of the sole between the stiffening element and the tub-shaped sole element as soon as the formation of sole is subject to an elastic deformation, in particular a rolling movement. In the loosened state of the adjusting element, the stiffening element and the sole element can move freely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sole, with the result that the sole formation of the in this state of the adjusting element has a comparably high flexibility. Rotary cylinders with off-centered bearing surfaces and horizontally arranged adjusting screws in connection with supporting elements thereon, which are relatively adjustable, are recommended to be adjusting elements for providing corresponding clamping and frictional forces, and the corresponding adjusting elements are arranged in apertures in the sole element and can be operated from the outside. Other embodiments of adjusting elements are on the one hand formed of a pair of vertically aligned clamping screws and on the other hand of washer disk being integrated into the stiffening element and arranged to be able to turn. Said washer disk has rising guide tracks or guideways running in a wedge-shaped way for optional applying and cancelling clamping forces between the bottom side of the stiffening element and the upper side of the tub-shaped sole element. The last mentioned adjusting means can be operated with the help of operating tools, in particular by means of a screwdriver, from the entry for the user's foot. One disadvantage of the known embodiment is that the corresponding adjusting elements have to provide high clamping forces or require high operating forces in order to achieve a sufficiently distinctive manipulation or modification of the stiffness of the formation of sole or of the entire sports shoe.

Moreover, document WO 96/02157 A1 describes a sports shoe providing a variable stiffness of sole. This being the case, a structurally independent stiffening element comprising two plate elements that are disposed in the in the vertical direction of the sole structure and are displaceable relative to one another, between which an elastically compressible layer is disposed, is inserted into the sports shoe. In this case, the lower plate element is designed to be tub-shaped by having a circumferential supporting collar directed upwards. The upper plate element is dimensioned in such a way that the lower, tub-shaped plate element is lowerable and a compression of the elastic flexible intermediate layer is thus effected. In particular, by pressing the upper and lower plate elements against one another, which pressing is effected against the resistance of the elastic layer lying in between, the stiffness of the shoe sole is increased. In contrast, when an non-compressed layer or a layer not being clamped between the plate elements is present, in particular in the situation where the plateparts are spaced relatively far apart from one another, a considerably higher flexibility of the shoe sole is provided. An individual modification of the stiffness of the shoe sole is in this case also achieved by a varying the height position of the upper plate element with respect to the lower plate element and for this variation of height, one respective eccentric lever arrangement is embodied in the end section on the heel side as well in the end section on the toe side, in order to achieve a pressing of the upper and the lower plate element against one another against the supporting force of the elastic compressible layer. The disadvantage of this case is that modification of the respective stiffness of the sole formation is difficult, because, amongst other things, the eccentric layer element on the toe side is poorly accessible and such eccentric lever elements provide only a less than satisfactory operability or ergonomics. In addition, the variability of height of the upper plate element with respect to the lower plate element results in a change of the volume of the interior of the shoe or a change of the volume accommodating the foot. In particular in the state of adjustment providing comparably flexible formation of sole, the volume for accommodating of the sports shoe is smaller than in the event of a state of adjustment providing comparably stiff sole formation, resulting in disadvantages with respect to the fit or the wearing comfort of a sports shoe of this kind. Furthermore, the elastic intermediate layer has to be designed relatively stiff or compression-proof, in order to avoid that the stiffening module is passed into the stiffening state due to compression load, for example when being stressed unilaterally by the user, when the sole formation is in a flexible adjustment state. The corresponding eccentric lever arrangements, however, have to be able to overcome these resisting powers of the elastically resetting layer, so that the corresponding eccentric lever arrangements have to be designed especially solid and the operating or reverse forces to be applied by the user are considerable.

The underlying objective of the present invention is to propose a ski shoe with a modifiable stiffness, in particular with manually modifiable stiffness of sole and the technical measures required should allow to be implemented as cost-effective as possible, similarly allowing the most effortless possible but effective modification of the stiffness.

This objective is achieved by the invention on the basis of a sports shoe, in particular an alpine ski shoe according to the characteristics of claim 1.

An advantage of the sports shoe according to the invention resides in the fact that it ensures a particularly comfortable influence or modification of the stiffness, in particular of the sole stiffness. In particular due to the technical measures that the holding or fixing element for the plate- or bearing-like stiffening element is exclusively positioned in the end section of the sole formation assigned to the heel of a user, a good accessibility or availability to said holding or fixing element is ensured, so that complex auxiliary tools or tedious accesses to hard-to-reach areas, in particular in the section of the toe-cap or the toe of the sports shoe are not necessary. A high degree of user's convenience or an increased operating ergonomics are further achieved by the fact that relatively low retaining or securing forces are sufficient to avoid a lifting of the stiffening element in vertical direction with respect to the contact plane for the user's foot. According to the invention, the stiffening element mainly acts as supporting bar between the support on the toe side and the support on the heel side, which supports are each generally designed to be shear-resistant and resistant to upsetting. This being the case, the stiffening element acting as supporting bar between the distal supports is primarily stressed compressively and the stiffening element eliminates or disables a tendency of approximation between the support on the toe side and the support on the heel side as soon as the holding or fixing element is in its active state, thereby eliminating or at least largely eliminating a vertical shifting or lifting of the stiffening element with respect to the upper side of the sole formation. By simple removing a stiffening element built into a sports shoe or simple exchanging a present stiffening element by a stiffening element having different stiffness, in particular different bending stiffness and/or compression strength, the bending stiffness of the sole section of the sports shoe can be significantly influenced in a simple manner. Since the fixing element in its active state, i.e. in its state of fixing, only has to ensure that the stiffening element acting as supporting bar between the support on the toe side and the support on the heel side remains at the planned supporting position, the required securing or fixing forces, which have to be applied or ensured by the fixing element, are relatively low. Due to this fact, the manual operability or the most effortless possible operation of the fixing element is noticeably eased. Furthermore, the embodiment according to the invention can achieve a high density of the sole formation or the upper part of the shoe, because no additional apertures from the outer surface of the sole formation or the upper part of the shoe are required in order to be able to operate or handle the optionally detachable fixing element. In particular, no special technical complex measures for sealing are required in order to achieve a good impermeability with respect to the undesired entering of snow, ice or liquids. Thus, a corresponding sports shoe can also be produced as cost-effective as possible. Due to the provision of stiffening elements, which have different bending stiffnesses or different resistances in terms of compression or upsetting with respect to their longitudinal extension and which can be produced cost-effective, the characteristic or the stiffness of a sports shoe can easily be modified in a simple way by exchanging a stiffening element and the exchange is effected via the entry for the user's foot, with the result that an easy handling is ensured and no additional points of failure in terms of too high requirements regarding impermeability are caused.

Also of advantage are measures according to claim 2, because they achieve high or prominent effects with respect to the influence of the stiffness of the sole formation with relatively low operating or adjusting forces with respect to the fixing element. In particular, the embodiment of the fixing element as a lift lock achieves that when the stiffening element is existent in a position secured against shifting or lifting, a corresponding stiffening of the sole section of the sports shoe is ensured. Particularly, no high clamping or adjusting forces are necessary in order to create increased frictional or connecting forces between the stiffening element and the sole formation. Particularly, the supporting effect of the stiffening element acting as a supporting element causes a prominent increasing of the stiffness of the sole of the sports shoe. The shift lock has in this case only the task to prevent a vertical lifting or shifting of the stiffening element with respect to the supports respectively bearing against the front sides. Due to the fact that the supports bear against the front end sections of the stiffening element without clearance during the stiffening element is in a fixed state, an approximation of the supports spaced apart from one another as a result of a trend to deflection under load of the sole is prevented or hampered, thereby increasing the stiffness of the sole significantly. A lift lock of this kind can in this case be passed in its active state using comparably low operating or adjusting forces, once no particular clamping or frictional forces have to be established. This fact considerably fosters a convenient operation. Furthermore, the entire time required for the application or the exchange of a present stiffening element with respect to the relatively narrow, poor accessible interior of the sports shoe is noticeably reduced or kept to a minimum.

Due to the measures according to claim 3 it is ensured that the stiffening element operates as a supporting bar between the support on the toe side and the support on the heel side and on the one hand prominently influences the longitudinal compression strength or resistance to upsetting and up to a certain extent also the bending stiffness of the elongate stiffening element significantly influences the stiffness of the sole formation. This being the case, the fixing element only has to ensure that the stiffening element acting as supporting bar remains in its planned position and in particular does not shift or drift in vertical direction with respect to the contact plane for the user's foot, with the result that the its supporting effect between the supports on the shoe and on the sole side being distanced from one another would get lost.

Also of advantage are measures according to claim 4, because thus, a simple handling, i.e. a simple insertion and simple exchange of a stiffening element with respect to the foot or the interior shoe of the sport shoe is ensured. In particular, no fixing elements requiring manual operation are needed, in order to fix the longitudinal end or front end of the stiffening element on the toe side with respect to the sole element or with respect to the support on the toe side in vertical direction. Especially, the so-called toe-box or the front foot shell of a sports shoe can be difficult to access by hand. In particular alpine ski shoes with relatively stiff front foot shell, being injection molded of plastics material, a manual manipulation at the adjusting or fixing elements in the region of the front foot shell would require increased dexterity or hard manipulations. Due to the mentioned plug connection with respect to the support on the toe side, such manipulations are unnecessary and a simple coupling of the front longitudinal end of the stiffening element with respect to the sole formation or the support on the toe side is ensured. The positive-locking connection between the support on the toe side and the front end section of the stiffening element avoids a shifting or vertical pressing out of the stiffening element with respect to the support on the toe side, with the result that the stiffening effect, in particular the supporting effect of the stiffening element is also ensured in the event of increased loads, in particular of extreme bending forces. This being the case, the mating direction of the positive-locking plug connection generally extends parallel to the longitudinal axis of sole, so that an unproblematic merging or a quick and facile positioning of the stiffening element in the interior of the shoe, in particular at the upper side of the shoe base plate is ensured.

Of special advantage are also measures according to claim 5 and/or 6, because the supports or their bearing surfaces are formed as integral components of the sole formation or the upper part of shoe. Particularly in the event, if the said components are formed as integrally formed sections produced by injection molding, a particular cost-effective shoe construction can be achieved. In particular, no separate components or elements of supports are required in order to form the corresponding bearing surfaces, which interact with the corresponding bearing surfaces of the stiffening element. A lower number of required single components has also a beneficial effect on reducing the storage and logistics costs or the total costs of production required to produce a correspondingly designed sports shoe, in particular an alpine ski shoe.

The measures according to claim 7 ensure that there is no vertical clearance between the bottom side of the stiffening element and the upper side of the sole formation, which would cause a resilience or a bending of the stiffening element due to corresponding compression load with respect to the stiffening element, in particular due to compression load caused by the user's foot. Due to the direct supporting of the stiffening element at the upper side of the sole formation, shifting movements of the stiffening element in downward direction, in particular in direction towards the sole formation are kept at a minimum. This has beneficial effects on the power-related performance that can be achieved using a sports shoe of this kind.

Also measures according to claim 8 are of advantage, because only one single fixing element, which can be operated by the user or the operator in a relatively convenient way, in the region of the end section on the heel side of the stiffening element is required in order to influence the stiffness of the sole formation or of the sports shoe. The front end section or the end section on the toe side of the stiffening element can be secured against lifting with respect to the sole formation in a simple way and manner by a positive-locking coupling or plug connection. The front longitudinal end of the stiffening element does thus not require separate influence or fixing by the operating person. A corresponding positive-locking connection with the front support or the support on the toe side can automatically be established, so to speak, when the stiffening element is being inserted or slid into the interior of the sports shoe.

Of particular advantage are also measures according to claim 9, because thus, the easiest or most convenient possible operation of the fixing element is ensured also if only very little space is available. Particularly by a simple plug and rotary movement, a reliable fixing of the stiffening element inserted between the distal supports can be achieved. A bayonet mount of this kind can be operated quickly and easily in this case. Furthermore, it is not absolutely necessary that a fixing element formed as a bayonet mount can be seen or accessed well in order to operate or handle it, with the result that even an arrangement within the interior of the shoe, in particular at the upper side of the sole formation is relatively unproblematic. Screw connections, in contrast, would require an increased dexterity or an exact positioning and aligning with respect to the corresponding retaining thread. The particular simple condition or manageability of the bayonet mount has thus a positive effect on the sports shoe embodied according to the invention or the sports shoe equipped with it.

Also of advantage are the measures according to claim 10, because the holding pin of the bayonet mount is fixed on the shoe and the holding element, acting as a fixing element for the stiffening element, can optionally be coupled with and decoupled from the holding pin mounted on the shoe. In particular with the help of a simple plug and rotary movement, a fixing of the stiffening element in the proper relative position can be achieved. Additionally, a releasing of the holding element and of the stiffening element can be achieved by a relatively short rotary movement of the holding element with respect to the holding pin mounted on the shoe. Particularly due to this fact, a simple and quickly realizable mounting or dismounting of the stiffening element is allowed in a simple and intuitive manner, also for technically inexperienced people.

Due to the measures according to claim 11 it is ensured that the stiffening element remains in the proper position when the fixing element is in the active state and is thus able to develop the desired supporting or stiffening effect for the sole formation. It is absolutely sufficient to rotate the holding element with respect to the holding pin at an angle of less than 270°, in particular of less than 180°, preferably of less than 90° in order to ensure a reliable fixing of the stiffening element in the proper supporting position, in particular in the proper orientation with respect to the sole formation. Due to the fact that the fixing element is unnecessary in terms of increased clamping or compression forces, a basis for a general tool-free operation of the holding or fixing element is created, but it can optionally also be possible to use auxiliary tools.

Advantageous are also measures according to claim 12, because a particular effortless activation or deactivation of the fixing element is allowed using a simple standardized auxiliary tool, e.g. a screwdriver, without making it necessary to reach with the fingers to the sole section of the sports shoe. In particular by means of an auxiliary tool having the corresponding length, a smooth operation of the fixing element, in particular a rotation of the holding element can be effected in a relatively convenient way, for example from the collar section of the sports shoe or even from the above the collar section. This simplifying of handling or this time-saving is of increased importance in particular in the area of rental, but also in the course of production of the correspondingly formed sports shoe.

Finally, also the measures according to claim 13 are advantageous, because probably occurring tolerances with respect to the effective length of the stiffening element or regarding the inner width or the clearance between the support on the toe side and the support on the heel side can be compensated in an simple way and manner. Particularly due to the bearing surface, formed at at least one distal end of the stiffening element and running tilted with respect to a vertical plane, a tolerance compensation is achieved, with the result that, also in the event that stiffening elements are formed slightly shorter or the distances between the supports being distanced from one another are slightly larger, a bearing of the end sections on the front side of the stiffening elements at the support on the heel side and at the support on the toe side is ensured to be without clearance. Due to this fact, in particular a clearance caused by production tolerances between the supports opposite one another and the respective assigned front ends or the bearing surfaces at the stiffening elements can be compensated or avoided. Thus, also by these measures, the production or manufacturing costs of the described sports shoe can be kept to a minimum. Furthermore, the production of the stiffening element, the front ends of which are opposite one another and shall act as bearing surfaces, can be realized as cost-effective as possible, because thus, also with relatively large, accepted tolerances values of the stiffening element or the supports on the shoe side, a proper or planned supporting effect can be ensured.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples of embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings

The heavily simplified schematics show:

FIG. 1 a semi-finished product of a sports shoe, in particular a front foot shell of a ski shoe injection molded of plastics in perspective view;

FIG. 2 the sports shoe of FIG. 1 in sectional view according to the plane II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 the sports shoe of FIG. 1 in sectional view according to the plane III-III in FIG. 1 as well as the components near the sole shown in exploded view;

FIG. 4 the components near the sole according to FIG. 3 in partly assembled state.

Firstly, it should be pointed out that the same parts described in the different embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers and the same component names and the disclosures made throughout the description can be transposed in terms of meaning to same parts bearing the same reference numbers or same component names. Furthermore, the positions chosen for the purposes of the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., relate to the drawing specifically being described and can be transposed in terms of meaning to a new position when another position is being described. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments illustrated and described may be construed as independent inventive solutions or solutions proposed by the invention in their own right.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show an exemplary embodiment of a sports shoe 1 formed according to the invention, in particular an alpine ski shoe 2. This sports shoe 1 comprises at least one plate- or bearing-like stiffening element 3, which is provided for the optional modification or individual adjustment of the stiffness or flexibility of the sports shoe 1. By means of the stiffening element 3 or at least an influencing means 4, which influences the stiffening element 3 and can be operated manually, the stiffness of a sole formation 5 of the sports shoe 1 and thus the total stiffness present of the sports shoe 1 can be influenced.

The influencing means 4, which is described in the following, is preferably used for a selective modification of the shoe or sole stiffness of alpine ski shoes 2. In similar embodiments, the influencing means 4 can also be used with related sports shoes 1, in particular with alpine mountaineering boots, snowboard boots, cross-country ski boots, hiking boots, climbing boots or similar shoes.

The generic sports shoe 1, which is usually formed as a high shoe or boot, can generally be portioned into an upper part of shoe 6 and the previously mentioned sole formation 5, and the sole formation 5, as known per se, is arranged at the bottom side of the upper part of the shoe 6. The upper part of the shoe 6 can in this case—as schematically shown—be embodied like a shell or, alternatively, like a frame or a cage. This being the case, the upper part of the shoe 6 mainly consists of plastics, leather and/or textiles. In particular with the genre of the alpine ski shoes 2, the upper part of the shoe 6 has an outer shell made of plastics, in particular hard plastics, in order to be able to pass the forces transmitted from the user's foot to a piece of sports equipment as directly as possible or without delay to a board-like gliding device, in particular a ski. This being the case, an upper part of shoe 6 of this kind or a corresponding outer shell of plastics also can have a plurality of apertures, which are covered with comparably flexible materials such as leather and/or textiles, with the result that a cage-like structure is created and the upper part of the shoe 6 can also provide a relatively stiff frame-structure instead of a relatively stiff shell-structure.

In particular with a sports shoe 1 with relatively bending-resistant or hard outer shell, an interior shoe is accommodated at least partially in the upper part of shoe 6, said interior shoe not having been shown in the drawing for reasons of better clarity. Said interior shoe is used for the most convenient possible embedment of the user's foot by preventing unpleasant pressure and wear marks at the user's foot the best possible way with the help of the interior shoe. Preferably, such an interior shoe can be removed from the upper part of shoe 6, if required, in order to achieve a better drying of the interior shoe or to allow a more convenient walking only with the comparably flexible interior shoe. Alternatively or in combination therewith, a lining can be provided in the upper part of shoe 6, in particular at its interior surfaces, which lining is connected non-detachably to the upper part of the shoe 6.

The sole formation 5 usually has one coupling means 8, 9 in each end sections disposed opposite each other with respect to its longitudinal axis of sole 7 in order to allow—as known per se—being connected to a front and a rear coupling organ and, if required, to allow being detached from such a binding or from a corresponding ski. Particularly with alpine ski shoes 2, these coupling means 8, 9 are preferably formed from appendices at the toe-cap and at the heel, but they can also be formed from groovings, undercuts or cut-outs in the central section of the sole formation 5 in order to allow being coupled to a corresponding binding.

Further components, which are necessary to complete the sports shoe 1 are not shown for reasons of clarity. Depending on the genre or the type of the sports shoe 1, clamping devices for the individual narrowing of sections of the sports shoe 1, in particular clamping devices in the form of clamping buckles or tightening straps are embodied. Furthermore, also sealing elements or spoiler elements can of course be functional in order to achieve a sufficient impermeability with respect to snow or water in particular in the overlap region of the front foot shell. The shown semi-finished product of an alpine ski shoe 2, typically also provides a so-called collar, which is flexibly connected to the front foot shell shown in FIG. 1.

As already mentioned, at least one stiffening element 3, which is designed independently and influences the stiffness of the sole formation 5 or, as a result, the flexibility or stiffness of the entire sports shoe 1, is assigned to the sole formation 5. This stiffening element 3, which is designed as an individual body, essentially extends between the end section on the toe side 10 and the end section on the heel side 11 of the sole formation 5.

As the comparison of FIGS. 2 and 3 best shows, the stiffening element 3 is embodied as a structurally individual element, which can be assigned to the sole formation 5 if required or which can be assigned to the sole formation 5 with different values of stiffness. The essentially plate- or bearing-like designed stiffening element 3 preferably extends continuously, i.e., without interruption between the end section 10, 11 on the toe and on the heel side of the sole formation 5. The plate- or bearing-like stiffening element 3 is in this case essentially oriented parallel to the contact plane 12 for the user's foot with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stiffening element 3.

In its state of usage or its active state, the stiffening element 3 with its distal longitudinal ends 13, 14 opposite each other is retained at one respective fixed support 15, 16 being largely shear-resistant or resistant to upsetting with respect to the longitudinal direction of the sole. These largely shear- or pressure-resistant, in particular non-portable supports 15, 16 are preferably defined by the distal end sections of the sole formation 5, in particular by the integrally formed sections of the front and rear coupling means 8, 9 facing one another or being next to one another, as it can best be seen in FIG. 2.

With the embodiment described, the at least one stiffening element 3 is essentially embodied in the manner of a horizontally extending supporting bar, which is supported between the front and the rear support 15, 16 of the sole formation 5 or which keeps said supports 15, 16 at a distance from one another. Due to the stiffening element 3 acting as a supporting bar within the sole formation 5, the sole formation 5 is influenced, in particular increased by the stiffening element 3 in terms of its resistance to upsetting and bending, with the result that the total existing stiffness of the sports shoe 1 is increased.

The plate- or bearing-like stiffening element 3 acting as supporting bar is accommodated within the sports shoe in a special way or is preferably assigned to the sole formation 5 integrally formed with the sports shoe 1. The sole formation 5 in the bottom section of the sports shoe 1 is in this case embodied like a mounting shell 17 for the stiffening element 3, as FIG. 3 shows best. This mounting shell 17 is preferably an integrally embodied section of bottom of the upper part of the shoe 6, as FIG. 6 shows best.

The section of said mounting shell 17 on the bottom side is formed from the base plate, in particular from the shoe base plate 18 of the sports shoe 1. The lateral borders integrally formed with the shoe base plate 18 are defined by the lateral wall surfaces of the upper part of shoe 6 and by the front and rear support 15, 16 of the sole formation 5. This means that the shoe base plate 18, the front and rear support 15, 16 and the lateral partition walls of the mounting shell 17 are injection molded of plastics and are preferably embodied as integrally formed sections of the upper part of shoe 6. It is in this connection expressively stated that FIG. 4 shows a sole formation 5 which is cut off from the upper part of the shoe 6. This means that the sole formation 5 according to FIG. 4 principally defines an integrally formed, one-piece unit with the upper part of the shoe 6—FIG. 2. The upper part of the shoe 6 and the sole formation 5 are preferably formed as integral, one-pieced components or structural units, formed by a plastics injection molding process.

As FIG. 3 shows best, it is functional to embody also the stiffening element 3 to be shell- or profile-like. In particular, the stiffening element 3 can be designed to have a U-shaped cross-section at least within sections of its longitudinal extension. According to the example, the stiffening element 3 can comprise a base plate 19, the contour of which essentially follows the contour at the upper side of the shoe base plate 18. In the edge section of this base plate 19, preferably a circumferential or at least partially circumferential stiffening rib 10 is formed, which is oriented perpendicular to the base plate 19, so that in total at least one approximately tub-shaped stiffening element 3 is formed. This stiffening rib 20, at least circulating sections of the base plate 19, can in this case have varying height dimensions. According to the example, the stiffening rib 20 can be embodied higher in the region of the front longitudinal end 13 and also in the rear longitudinal end 14 than in the central region or in the longitudinal middle section of the stiffening element 3. As a result, the stiffening element 3 gets a bearing-like shape, in particular the cross-sectional shape of a U-beam or a profile-like bearing element. It of course also possible to embody the stiffening element 3 to be approximately an I- or C-shaped instead of U-shaped and to achieve the highest possible stiffness, in particular increased bending or deformation stiffness, using such designs or cross-sectional shapes with the lowest possible material weight.

It is essential that the stiffening element 3, being preferably dedicated to the sole formation 5 or the sports shoe 1 in an exchangeable way, also has a defined resistance to upsetting, in order to be able to act as a supporting bar between the front support or support on the toe side 16 and the rear support or the support on the heel side 16. Thus, the stiffening element 3 to a large extent works as a supporting bar between the front and rear support 15, 16 of the sole formation 5 and in this way increases the bending stiffness or the torsion stiffness of the sole formation 5, in particular of the shoe base plate 18 on the bottom side or the lower side. But also the inherent bending stiffness of the stiffening element 3 with respect to an axis extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shoe increases the stiffness of the sole formation 5 or of the sports shoe 1 to a certain extent.

It is essential that a fixing element 22, 22′, which can optionally be detached and which can be removed from the interior 21 of the sports shoe 1 when it is in a detached state, is assigned to the plate- or bearing-like stiffening element 3. Said fixing element 22, 22′ is preferably embodied in at least two pieces, with a first subcomponent being assigned to the sole formation 5, in particular being fixed to the sole formation 5, and at least one further subcomponent being embodied as a subcomponent being optionally detachable and completely removable from the first subcomponent, as it is exemplary shown in FIG. 3. This being the case, the subcomponents corresponding to one another of the at least two-part fixing element 22, 22′ can be formed of a holding pin 23 on the shoe or the sole side, which is fixed to the sole formation 5, and a thereto corresponding holding element 24, which can optionally by coupled and decoupled. Said fixing element 22, 22′ being formed of at least one holding element 24 and at least one holding pin 23 corresponding to this holding element is exclusively disposed in the end portion on the heel side 11 of the sole formation 5. This means that the fixing element 22, 22′ for the stiffening element 3 is positioned in such a way that it can be operated, in particular activated or deactivated, from the entry 25 for the user's foot in the sports shoe 1. By means of the fixing element 22, 22′, which can optionally be activated, in particular the rear longitudinal end or the longitudinal end on the heel side 14 of the stiffening element 3 can be secured against lifting from the sole formation 5 or against lifting with respect to the shoe base plate 18 when the fixing element 22, 22′ is getting its activated state.

It is on the other hand essential that the fixing element 22, 22′ in its detached state, allows a complete removal or an exchange of the stiffening element 23 with respect to the interior 21 of the upper part of shoe 6. This being the case, the stiffening element 3 can be removed from the interior 21 of the sports shoe 1 via the usual entry 25 for the user's foot, designed anyway, and then, a stiffening element 3 of another kind or other stiffness can be inserted into the interior 21 via the entry 25 and can be assigned to the upper side of the sole formation 5 or the shoe base plate 18. By activating the fixing element 22, 22′, in particular by the positive locking connecting of the holding element 24 at the holding pin 23, the corresponding stiffening element 3 is secured against lifting or detaching from the sole formation 5, with the result that the resistance to upsetting inherent in the stiffening element 3 contributes to the increase of stiffness of the sole formation 5.

It is essential that the fixing element 22, 22′, when taking its activated state, primarily represents a lift lock 26 for the stiffening element with respect to the sole formation 5, as it is shown best in FIG. 4. The lift lock 26, being present during the activate state of the fixing element 22, 22′, is thus only provided for preventing vertically oriented relative movements between the stiffening element 3 and the sole formation 5 or its shoe base plate 18. When the fixing element 22, is taking its active state, it ensures the proper, essentially plane parallel position between the stiffening element 3 and the sole formation 5. It is thus hardly possible to take up forces relevant for stiffening from the fixing element 22, 22′. The forces relevant for stiffening are primarily raised by the longitudinal ends 13, 14 of the stiffening element 3 and by the respectively assigned supports 15, 16 on the side of the sole of the shoe. This means that said fixing element 22, 22′ does not require increased clamping or preload forces and can be operated particularly convenient or smooth, thus.

The stiffening effect of the stiffening element 3 with respect to the sole formation 5 is ensured above all if the front and the rear longitudinal end 13, 14 of the stiffening element 3 with respect to the longitudinal direction of sole, when the holding element 22, 22′ is taking its active state, are respectively supported without clearance at the support on the toe side and at the support at the heel side 15, 16. In this case, the fixing element 22, 22′ has to take no or hardly any shear forces with respect to a plane extending parallel to the contact plane 12, but it is only required that the fixing element 22, 22′ prevents an undesired lifting of the stiffening element 3 with respect to the sole formation 5 or with respect to its shoe base plate 18.

The rear longitudinal end or the longitudinal end on the heel side 14 of the stiffening element 3 can thus be connected to the sole formation 5 or the shoe base plate 18 in a fixed way or in a lift locked way by means of the fixing element 22, 22′. The fixing element 22, 22′ can preferably be put into the active state by a manual, tool-free operation, a state, in which the longitudinal end on the heel side 14 of the stiffening element 3 can be lifted from the sole formation 5, in particular upwardly to the entry 25 with respect to the shoe base plate 18, in order to remove the stiffening element 3 from the interior 21 or, in reverse order, to be able to combine it with the sole formation.

In contrast to the fixing element 22, 22′ in the end section on the heel side 11 of the sole formation 5 which can manually be activated or deactivated, the longitudinal end on the toe side 13 of the stiffening element 3 can be connected or coupled to the end section on the toe side 11 of the sole formation 5 by means of a positive-locking plug connection 27. In particular, the stiffening element 3 can be positive locked to the support on the toe side 15 by means of a positive-locking plug connection 27, with this plug connected 27 in its active state being formed to prevent relative movements in vertical direction with respect to the contact plane 12 for the user's foot between the longitudinal end on the toe side 13 of the stiffening element 3 and the support on the toe side 15. This means that the positive-locking plug connection 27 in its active state forms a lift lock of the longitudinal end 13 of the stiffening element 3 with respect to the sole formation 5 or its shoe base plate 18. This positive-locking plug connection 27 is preferably embodied as a kind of a simple tongue-and-groove connection. This being the case, preferably at least one appendix 28, engaging a corresponding undercut or deepening 29 when the plug connection 27 is being activated, is formed on the face, front longitudinal end 13 of the stiffening element 3. The deepening 29 can be embodied as a simple groove or recess in the front support 15, as it can be seen best in FIG. 2.

In this case, it is functional, if the at least one appendix 28 and the thereto corresponding deepening 29 are essentially embodied tapered with respect to a longitudinal or vertical sectional view extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of sole. Thus, a vertical lift lock maximum free of clearance for the front longitudinal end or the longitudinal end on the toe side 13 of the stiffening element 3 is created. Additionally, a simple compensation of probable dimensional or length tolerances is made by an appendix 28 having an essentially tapered longitudinal cross section or a thereto corresponding deepening 29. Furthermore, the appendix 28, having a tapered longitudinal cross section, at the front longitudinal end 13 of the stiffening element 3 effects a simple insertion or an insertion free from deadlock into the corresponding deepening 29 on the side of the sole. This means that, when the stiffening element 3 is being inserted into the interior 21 from the entry 5 on the side of the shoe, an effortless and quick activating of the corresponding plug connection 27 in the end section on the toe side 10 of the sole formation 5 is possible and ensured. The plug direction of this plug connection 27 in this case extends essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sole formation 5.

As schematically shown it is also possible to embody a plurality of individual appendices 28 at the front longitudinal end 13 and to provide a comb-like structure, thus. As a result, also tolerances in lateral direction can be compensated if tooth gaps between adjacent appendices 28 are embodied in a tapered or angular way, as it is exemplarily shown in FIG. 3.

The deepening 29 corresponding to the at least one appendix 28 and being provided for a positive-locking coupling is preferably formed at the support at the toe side 15 of the sole formation 5. This being the case, the support on the toe side 15 is formed as an integral component part of an upper part of shoe 6 injection molded from a plastics material or as an integral component part of a unit of upper part of shoe 6 and sole formation 5 being integrally injection molded as a one-piece plastic body. This means that the support on the toe side 15 of the sole formation 5 and the upper part of the shoe 6 are integrally formed, in particular as a molded plastic component. Analogue to this, it is expedient to embody the support on the heel side 16 as an integral component part of the shoe body or the outer shell at this molded plastic component in the end section on the heel side 11 of the sole formation 5, as it can be seen best in FIG. 2, in particular if the upper part of the shoe 6 and the sole formation 5 are integrally formed as a molded plastic component.

As it is furthermore best to be seen in FIG. 2, the stiffening element 3 is directly supported with at least its end section on the heel side or the longitudinal end 14 against the surface of the sole formation 5 or the shoe base plate 18. This means that at least in the end section on the heel side 11 of the sole formation 5, a direct or undelayed power transmission between the stiffening element 3 and the shoe base plate 18 is ensured, once the stiffening element 3 supports against the upper surface of the shoe base plate 18 in a load transmitting way. Preferably, also the front longitudinal end 13 of the stiffening element 3 is directly supported against the shoe base plate 18, with the result that a direct power transmission between the stiffening element 3 and the shoe base plate 18 is ensured.

The fixing element 22, 22′ is preferably embodied in such a way that it can be operated manually. The fixing element 22, 22′ is preferably designed as a bayonet connector 30 that can be operated tool-free. This means that the fixing element 22, 22′ can preferably be put into the active and/or inactive state without the help of tools. In particular by using only one's hands or fingers, the user can fix and detach the fixing element 22, 22′, which is particularly designed in the form of a bayonet connector 30. This being the case, the combined plug and turning motion of a structurally independent holding element 24 allows an optional detaching and fixing of the stiffening element 3 with respect to the sole formation 5. The corresponding bayonet connector 30 preferably comprises a holding pin 23 being fixed to the sole formation 5, in particular sticking out essentially perpendicularly from the shoe base plate 18. This being the case, the bar-like holding element 24 can be attached and twisted with respect to said holding pin 23 on the side of the sole of the shoe, with the result that a positive-locking coupling between the holding element 24 and the holding pin 23 can optionally be established or detached, as it is best to be seen in FIGS. 3, 4.

This being the case, it is expedient if the holding element 24 comprises at least one supporting collar 31, 32, which is largely provided for bearing or supporting free of clearance at the upper side 33 of the stiffening element 3, once the fixing element 22, 22′ takes its active state. As it is best to be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, an aperture 34 is designed in the region of the longitudinal end on the heel side 14, which aperture is such dimensioned that the holding pin 23 can pass though the stiffening element 3. The holding element 24, which is embodied to be bar-like or in the kind of a wing nut, than supports against sections close to the aperture 34 at the upper side 33 of the stiffening element 3, once the corresponding fixing element 22, 22′ is put into its active state.

The supporting collars 31, 32 of the holding element 24, which diametrically protrude, in this case preferably define a handle for the smoothest possible or most convenient possible coupling of the holding element 24 with the holding pin 23. Alternatively or in combination thereto, it is also possible that the holding element 24 at its upper side has at least one positive-locking coupling medium 35 in particular a slot or a cross slot for a connection coupled by turning motion with an auxiliary tool. This positive-locking coupling medium 35 can be reached and operated with an auxiliary tool, in particular a screwdriver, from the entry 25 for the user's foot, with the result that the fixing element 22, 22′ can be switched from its inactive to its active state—and vice versa—without any problems.

Expedient is furthermore if the support on the heel side 16 or the stiffening element 3, or the support on the heel side 16 and the stiffening element in addition, have at least one bearing surface 36, 37 transverse to the longitudinal axis of sole 7. This at least one bearing surface 36, 37 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of sole 7 is in this case preferably oriented inclined at an angle 38 with respect to a transverse plane being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of sole 7. Thus, a range of tolerance is created or it is ensured up to a greater extent that the stiffening element 3 with its front longitudinal ends 13, 14 can support against the supports 15, 16 on the side of the sole of the shoe without any clearance. The at least one bearing surface 36, 37 extending in a tilted way, is such designed that the stiffening element 3 widens upwardly, as it is best to be taken from FIG. 2. This means, that the stiffening element 3 has a slightly larger longitudinal extension on its upper side than on its bottom side. Seen in longitudinal sectional view, the stiffening element 3 or its mounting shell 17 can be embodied approximately V-shaped or can have a bearing surface 36, 37 at at least one longitudinal end, with said bearing surface extending in a tilted way with respect to a vertical plane, as it is best to be seen in FIG. 3.

As it is seen best in the comparison of the FIGS. 3 and 4, the holding element 24 and the upper end section of the holding pin 23 facing away from the shoe base plate 18 are accommodated in a tub-shaped deepening 39 of the stiffening element 3. In particular, the stiffening element 3 forms a tub-shaped deepening, at least in the region of its longitudinal end on the heel side 14, in which deepening the elements of the fixing element 22, 22′ can be accommodated at least to a greater extent. This deepening is bordered or defined by the rear section of the base plate 19 and by sections of the preferably circumferentially designed stiffening rib 20. The height of the stiffening rib 20 in the region of the rear longitudinal end 14 can in this case have an effective height from between 5 mm and 15 mm, preferably of approximately 10 mm, with the result that the holding element 24 can be accommodated preferably completely in the corresponding deepening 39. Thus, at least a part of the holding pin 23 and at least a part of the holding element 24 protrudes from the upper side 33 of the base plate 19 of the stiffening element 3. This being the case, these elements are at least partially surrounded by the tub-shaped deepening 39 on the heel side of the stiffening element 3.

The stiffening element 3 being designed to be tub-shaped can be filled up at least in sections and closed until it is largely flat by means of a compensating element 40, as it is best to be seen in FIG. 2. The corresponding compensating element 40, which is formed from plastics or foam plastics, has at least one recess 41, at the bottom side. Sections of the fixing element 22, 22′ project into said recesses, once the compensating element 40 is put onto the upper side of the stiffening element 3. The compensating element 40 being designed in the way of an inner sole thus levels the upper side of the stiffening element 3 having relatively large height differences in such a way, that unpleasant pressure marks at the sole of the user's foot can be kept to a minimum. This being the case, the compensating element 40 is designed as a structurally individual component, which can be removed from or inserted into the interior 21 of the sports shoe 1 if needed. The largely flat upper side 42 of the compensating element 40 is used for supporting the user's foot or for supporting an interior shoe, as it is in particular used with alpine ski shoes. The compensating element 40 has an outline contour, approximately corresponding to an inlay sole and covers or cases the stiffening element 3 preferably entirely.

Preferably, the compensating element 40 is inserted into the interior 21 of the sports shoe 1 in a loose manner that means that it is connected to the sole formation 5 neither in a positive- nor force-locking manner, with the result that an effortless lifting and removing of the compensating element 40 is allowed, with the result that a quick access to the fixing element 22, 22′ or its holding element 24 and consequently to the stiffening element 3 is allowed.

It is expedient to provide a handle 43 in the rear end section, in particular in the region of the longitudinal end on the heel side 14 of the stiffening element 3, which handle eases the exchange or the removal of the stiffening element 3 from the interior 21 of the sports shoe 1. This handle 43 is formed from a supporting rib 44 in an effective way and manner, which on the one hand, serves as a handle 43, and on the other hand supports the stiffening rib 20 in the region of the rear longitudinal end 14, with the result that the stiffening element 3 achieves a high supporting effect in spite of having a low weight or a low total mass. This supporting rib 44, which similarly serves as a handle 43, essentially extents perpendicularly to the base plate 19 and essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of sole 7, as it is best to be seen in FIGS. 3, 4. The handling 43 or the supporting rib 44 thus fulfills a multifunction, with the result that the functionality or the operating comfort of the sports shoe 1 is increased and similarly, the resulting total mass of the sports shoe 1 is kept to a minimum.

In order to make individual changes or in order to make simple changes with respect to the stiffness of the sports shoe 1 on the side of the manufacturer, it is only necessary to assign a corresponding stiffening element 3 having the desired stiffness or resistance to upsetting to the sole formation 5, in particular to build it into the interior 21 of the sports shoe 1. This being the case, the respective stiffening element 3 is to be fixed or fastened in a simple way and manner by means of a fixing element 22, 22′. If required, the stiffening element 3 is to be covered with a compensating element 40, in order to obtain a relatively flat bearing surface, meeting the biometrical requirements or offering sufficient wearing comfort, for the user's foot or the interior shoe.

The embodiments illustrated as examples represent possible design variants of the part-feeding system and it should be pointed out at this stage that the invention is not specifically limited to the design variants specifically illustrated.

For the sake of good order, finally, it should be pointed out that, in order to provide a clearer understanding of the structure of the support, it and its constituent parts are illustrated to a certain extent out of scale and/or on an enlarged scale and/or on a reduced scale.

Particularly, the individual features illustrated in the embodiments shown in the FIGS. 1-4 may be construed as independent solutions proposed by the invention in their own right. The associated objectives and solutions proposed by the invention may be found in the detailed descriptions of the drawings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1 Sports shoe 2 Ski shoe 3 Stiffening element 4 Influencing means 5 Sole formation 6 Upper part of the shoe 7 Longitudinal axis of sole 8 Coupling means 9 Coupling means 10 End section on the toe side 11 End section on the heel side 12 Contact plane 13 Longitudinal end on the toe side 14 Longitudinal end on the heel side 15 Support 16 Support 17 Mounting shell/ mounting pan 18 Shoe base plate 19 Base plate 20 Stiffening rib 21 Interior space 22, 22′ Fixing element 23 Holding pin 24 Retaining element 25 Entry 26 Lift lock 27 Plug connection 28 Extension 29 Deepening 30 Bayonet mount 31 Supporting collar 32 Supporting collar 33 Upper side 34 Aperture 35 Coupling medium 36 Bearing surface 37 Bearing surface 38 Angle 39 Deepening 40 Compensating element 41 Recess 42 Upper side 43 Handle 44 Supporting rib 

1. A sports shoe, in particular alpine ski shoe, comprising a shell like upper part having an access opening for entry of a user's foot into the sports shoe, an inner lining at least partially accommodated in the shell-like upper part, a sole formation having a toe side and a heel side and being disposed beneath the shell-like upper part, at least one stiffening element arranged in the sole formation extending between the toe side and the heel side, and a fixing element arranged at the heel side of the sole formation to secure the at least one stiffening element in the sole formation, the fixing element being at least partially removable from the sports shoe, so that said fixing element can be operated from the access opening for the user's foot into the sports shoe and can be detached to permit removal of the stiffening element with respect to the interior of the upper part of shoe via the access opening for the user's foot.
 2. The sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the fixing element is secured in an active state and provides a lift lock for the stiffening element with respect to the sole formation, which lift lock being provided for preventing vertically directed relative motions between the stiffening element and the sole formation.
 3. The sports shoe according to claim 1, further comprising supports at the toe and heel sides, wherein the stiffening element is supported without clearance on the supports.
 4. The sports shoe according to claim 1, further comprising a positive-locking plug connection arranged to attach the stiffening element to the support on the toe side, with said plug connection in its active state being designed in perpendicular direction with respect to the contact plane for a user's foot for preventing relative movement between the toe side of the stiffening element and the support.
 5. The sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the support on the toe side is embodied as an integral component of the shell-like upper part.
 6. The sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the shell-like upper part and the sole formation are embodied as an integral plastic injection molding component and form the support on the heel side as an integral component in the end section on the heel side of the sole formation.
 7. The sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the stiffening element is directly supported on at least a portion of the sole formation.
 8. The sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the fixing element in an active state, prevents the heel side of the stiffening element from lifting with respect to the sole formation.
 9. The sports shoe according to claim 1, wherein the fixing element is designed as bayonet connector, which allows an optional detaching and fixing of the stiffening element with respect to the sole formation by a combined plug and rotary movement of a holding pin.
 10. The sports shoe according to claim 9, wherein the bayonet connector comprises a holding pin fixed to the sole formation and essentially oriented perpendicular to a contact plane of a user's foot, and the holding element can be plugged and rotated with respect to the holding pin to create a positive-locking and detachable coupling between the holding element and the holding pin.
 11. The sports shoe according to claim 9, wherein the holding element comprises at least one supporting collar.
 12. The sports shoe according to claim 9, wherein the holding element comprises at least one positive-locking coupling medium including a slot for a connection coupled by turning motion with an auxiliary tool, and wherein the positive-locking coupling medium can be reached from an entry for the user's foot into the sports shoe.
 13. The sports shoe according to claim 3, wherein the support on the heel side has at least one bearing surface running transversely to a longitudinal axis of the sole formation, which bearing surface is oriented in an inclined manner at an angle with respect to a transverse plane oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sole formation. 